Cobb County schools are faced with serious and painful budget cuts. Board member Dr. John Crooks is mired in a bitter recall battle.
At best he is a lame duck who will not run for re-election. At worst he is a distracted and embattled representative for East Cobb schools.
Dr. Crook's tenuous position, deserved or not, will make him a weak representative for East Cobb parents as budget cuts are made. The board already is a political nightmare where fundamental education is rarely the top priority. In that environment, Dr. Crooks' lack of parental support and his personal legal distractions increases the risk that the best performing schools in Cobb will be punished financially during the budget process.
If he steps down, parents get to choose our new representative through a special election.
If he drags this out through the recall process and he loses, the board appoints a temporary representative.
If he drags this out and wins in the recall process he is a lame duck, leaving at year end.
Only the first of those three outcomes is good for East Cobb.
Whether Dr. Crook is good or bad or simply an easy target no longer makes any difference.
Dr. Crooks has one last chance to do what is right for East Cobb parents and students.
He must step down.
John Morabito
East Cobb
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In fact, the first time Dr. Crooks ever acknowledged me was at the March 4th hearing (he actually said a very polite "nice to see you again, Mrs. Welkis).
I would encourage writing Ms. Crowder-Eagle, any and all state representatives and GOP leaders to put pressure on Dr. Crooks to resign. Mr. Morabito is correct, we can have a say in his replacement and there are many, many qualified individuals who can succeed Dr. Crooks. Our county and our kids deserve better!
We need to stand firm and demand a resignation so we can put our time and money to focus on new leadership and better tomorrow for our kids and community.
John Crooks do waht is right - step down now!